Monday, February 17, 2014

I finally got down to the Denver Art Museum's new textile floor to see the Thread Studio that opened to much acclaim in May, 2013. There in the center of the lace making exhibit hangs the Shetland stole, knitted by E.B. Manson, that I collected in Lerwick some years ago while I was there
teaching knitting. It's a beautiful hand-spun, hand knit stole, and the docent who was sitting in the gallery spinning told me that the shawl has been inspiring spinners to try hone their skills to such fine yarn. It is a wonderful piece and I'm so pleased that the DAM has given it a gorgeous showcase.

I have to say I was sadly surprised to see that the description card had no mention of the knitter's name. I was especially happy to have supplied the curators with that information as so many gorgeous textile pieces are anonymous, the maker lost in history. Well as they say, "Anonymous was a woman", and apparently she still is. But you and I know.....

Monday, February 10, 2014

I'm basking today in the afterglow of the time I spent with lots of beautiful knitters at the Sew Expo last week. So much inspiration and joy! Thanks to all of you who came out in the nose-nipping cold weather. It really warmed my heart to see you!

Monday, February 3, 2014

It was sunny and glorious outside yesterday for Groundhog's Day but the local weather predicting rodent, Flatiron Freddie, was up before the sun cleared the clouds and did not see his shadow, so we're hoping for an early spring here in the Rockies. It is sort of rigged in spring's favor though as Flatiron Freddie is actually a stuffed marmot (I kid you not) who hasn't seen his own shadow in a very long time. Too grim. Well there are other sure signs. See those beautiful buds on that icy cottonwood branch? Spring is on the way!

I took this shot while I was in the sun knitting on a new Hanten Jacket to include in my trunk show at the Rocky Mountain Sew Expo this week. If you are thinking about coming, there's a discount coupon for entrance admission in the show link, and your admission is good for all three days. I love this show for it's inspiration, with classes and free fashion show events happening all day long and lots of information about fashion, styling and wardrobe planning. I enjoy having a trunk show each year at this event. Sort of feels like being involved in the big time Fashion Week shows in New York! (I can dream, can't I?). I'll have lots of garments to try on and loads of yarns there. Drop by the booth and let me know you read the blog or get the newsletter and I'll be giving one free digital pattern of your choice to each of you who do. Just so you know, the Hanten is done and blocking, ready to be tried on at the show. This one is knit in Dancing Colors Evening and there are lots of other color options, too.

Now a bit more lore about the coming of spring.....did you know that the first couple days of February are also celebrated as Imbolc, an ancient celtic celebration of the beginning of the lambing season, a sure sign of spring, and as St Brigid's day, Brigid being an ancient Celtic goddess of the spring? Another character in this story is the Cailleach, the Crone of winter, who is said to go about on February 2nd to gather more sticks for her hearth fire. If the day is fine and sunny, she can gather lots of wood to keep herself warm and so she'll make the winter last for many weeks, but if the day is cloudy and cold, the Crone will lie in bed and not gather enough wood to keep herself warm for long and so she'll bring winter to an end much sooner. Sound familiar? Sunny day, longer winter; cloudy day, spring comes sooner. Poor Punxsutawney Phil, getting hauled out of his burrow every year, probably wishes we'd all just look outside ourselves to see if the Cailleach can gather her wood or not. Well at least he's not stuffed, eh Freddie?